• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

HK spike weighs for travel bubble to Macau, says Sands exec

Jul 15, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


HK spike weighs for travel bubble to Macau, says Sands exec

The recent new cases of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, some community based, will need to be weighed as a factor when judging how quickly that city can participate in a travel bubble system with Macau and places in mainland China, says Wilfred Wong Ying Wai (pictured in a file photo), president of Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd.

Hong Kongers accounted for just over 7.35 million trips – or about 18.7 percent – of Macau’s 2019 tally of more than 39 million arrivals. Since the advent of the Covid-19 crisis, visitor numbers from there and from mainland China – Macau’s main supply market for tourists – have declined sharply.

Hong Kong reported 48 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday alone, most of them confirmed by the local health authorities as “epidemiologically linked” with a “local” case or cases, according to the local government’s dedicated website on the topic.

But Sands China executive Mr Wong told Chinese-language news outlet the Hong Kong Economic Journal he was hopeful of further incremental improvements in opportunities for inbound travel to Macau – including possibly the resumption of the mainland’s exit visa system for independent travellers, known as the Individual Visit Scheme. Investment analysts indicate that holders of such visas are typically more valuable customers for Macau’s casino resorts than are members of mainland escorted-tour groups.

But he said travel easing depended on a number of factors, including how Hong Kong’s Covid-19 infection cases evolve, and the nature of “recovery conditions” in China’s internal market for inter-provincial travel.

Things also depended he suggested, on how smoothly runs the quarantine-free arrangement with effect from Wednesday (July 15) for travel from Macau to Guangdong. Mainland residents had mostly not needed to go into quarantine when entering Macau, but had faced it for the return home, which analysts had suggested had been a likely disincentive for mainlanders to come to Macau in the first place.

Since Monday, all people travelling from Hong Kong to Macau via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge must hold a certificate proving they have tested negative for Covid-19 infection. Upon arriving Macau, any such travellers are still required to undergo a 14-day quarantine arrangement in Macau.

Since the start of the calendar year and up to Tuesday, Hong Kong’s Department of Health had recorded 1,570 Covid-19 cases, including eight fatalities.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q profit, up sequentially
    GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q...

    May 12, 2022  

  • Casino firm Paradise Co slips to negative EBITDA in 1Q
    Casino firm Paradise Co slips to...

    May 12, 2022  

More news
  • Macau op debt to hit US$25bln unless travel eased 2H: MS
    Macau op debt to hit US$25bln unless...

    May 24, 2022  

  • Outbound group tours still paused: China immigration
    Outbound group tours still paused:...

    May 24, 2022  


Latest News

Macau op debt to hit US$25bln unless travel eased 2H: MS

Macau op debt to hit US$25bln unless travel eased 2H: MS

May 24, 2022  

Macau casino operators’ aggregate net debt could reach the equivalent of US$25 billion by the end of this year, “five times the end of 2019’s levels”, and 12 percent higher than a “base...
Read More
Outbound group tours still paused: China immigration

Outbound group tours still paused: China immigration

May 24, 2022  

Macau gaming workers 27pct of underemployed population

Macau gaming workers 27pct of underemployed population

May 24, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”Resorts World Sentosa is now looking at broadening its customer base to those who engage in casual play for entertainment"

Tan Hee Teck

Genting Singapore’s president and chief operating officer



Most Popular

  • Macau GGR tax cut idea tied to China outlook: brokerageMacau GGR tax cut idea tied to China outlook: brokerage May 23, 2022
  • Review saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau LegendReview saw no irregularity in Levo Chan link: Macau Legend May 23, 2022
  • Manila Westside launch aim still 2024: SuntrustManila Westside launch aim still 2024: Suntrust May 23, 2022
  • RWS seeking to expand gaming customer base: execRWS seeking to expand gaming customer base: exec May 24, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us